PROGRAMMES TO TARGET GROWTH

The Government of Sri Lanka is set to launch several programmes aimed at driving growth by stimulating private investment and boosting the rural economy. Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera revealed that a multi-pronged strategy was designed, which includes a loan scheme to encourage private investment in SMEs as well as large businesses.

Samaraweera noted that the approach avoids “short-term consumption booms through artificial fiscal and monetary stimulus.” He added that the schemes will target the most productive investment sectors, expanding private enterprises to drive growth.

According to Samaraweera, it is important for the government to invest in the rural economy directly – and a rapid rural infrastructure investment scheme would be introduced to this end.